Why I am a Pagan by Zitkala Sa In her essay, "Why I am a Pagan," Zitkala Sa reflects on her journey to embrace her Native American heritage and spirituality. She recounts the influences that led her to reject Christianity and re-embrace the spiritual beliefs of her ancestors. Zitkala Sa begins her essay by describing her early introduction to Christianity through the American Indian boarding school system. As a young girl, she was forcibly taken from her Native American family and immersed in an environment that sought to eradicate her traditional culture. At the boarding school, she was taught the principles and teachings of Christianity, but these teachings did not resonate with her spirit. The turning point for Zitkala Sa came when she witnessed a sunset ceremony performed by a group of Native American women.
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They start to believe in the upper region where the Christian dead are gathered in unceasing song and prayer , thereby despising the Church of Nature. And here he lay, Inyan our great-great-grandfather, older than the hill he rested on, older than the race of men who love to tell of his wonderful career.
The turning point for Zitkala Sa came when she witnessed a sunset ceremony performed by a group of Native American women. She was captivated by their connectedness to nature and their reverence for the land and sky. This experience awakened a deep longing within her to reconnect with her ancestral spirituality.
My Life: Impressions of an Indian Childhood; The School Days of an Indian Girl; Why I am a Pagan - Softcover
This mid-19th century account of a young Native American's early life and education remains a classic of authenticity, honesty and integrity. A fascinating insight into the life of the past.
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Stock ImageZitkala Sa explains that she could no longer accept the Christian teachings imposed on her by the boarding school. She felt that Christianity was foreign to her culture and did not align with her innate beliefs and instincts. She recognized that her ancestors possessed a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings, and she wanted to tap into that wisdom. For Zitkala Sa, being a pagan means honoring her ancestors, seeking harmony with nature, and embracing the spiritual practices that have been passed down through generations. She sees paganism as a way to reclaim her identity and restore the knowledge and traditions that were suppressed by colonization. In her essay, Zitkala Sa challenges the idea that Christianity is the only path to spiritual enlightenment. She argues that Native American spirituality is just as valid and offers a unique perspective on the world. She asserts that true spirituality should be about connecting with the natural world and recognizing one's place within it. By embracing paganism, Zitkala Sa found solace and strength in her Native American roots. She rejected the Christianity that had been imposed on her and sought to rediscover the spiritual practices that were intrinsic to her culture. Her essay serves as a powerful testament to the importance of honoring one's heritage and finding spiritual fulfillment through personal connection to the land and traditions of one's ancestors..
Reviews for "Paganism as Resistance: Zitkala-Sa's Subversion of Christian Assimilation"
1. Review by John - 1 out of 5 stars:
I found "Why I Am a Pagan" by Zitkala-Ša to be quite underwhelming. The writing style was confusing and lacked a clear direction. The author jumped from one topic to another without providing sufficient context or explanation. Additionally, the use of symbolism and metaphors throughout the essay felt forced and did not enhance the content. Overall, I did not enjoy reading this essay and would not recommend it to others.
2. Review by Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars:
While I appreciate the author's attempt to explore her beliefs and spirituality in "Why I Am a Pagan," I found the essay to be overly repetitive. Zitkala-Ša seemed to continuously state the same ideas without offering any new insights or perspectives. The lack of depth in the arguments made it difficult for me to fully engage with the text. Additionally, the language used was overly flowery and abstract, making it hard to grasp the author's intended meaning. Overall, I felt disconnected from the essay and was disappointed by its lack of substance.
3. Review by Alex - 3 out of 5 stars:
"Why I Am a Pagan" by Zitkala-Ša left me feeling conflicted. On one hand, I appreciated the author's personal exploration of spirituality and the inclusion of her Native American heritage. The essay raised interesting questions about the importance of nature and connection to the earth. However, I found the writing style to be overly dense and verbose, making it difficult to fully comprehend the author's arguments. Additionally, the lack of clear organization made the essay feel disjointed at times. While there were aspects I enjoyed, I can't fully recommend this essay due to its shortcomings in readability and structure.